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Program Planning

Thoughtful planning is critical to programming. Explore these resources for guidance throughout the five-year Head Start grant cycle. Learn how to establish continuous cycles of improvement that involve key stakeholders in data-based decision-making. Find resources to help build on achievable program and school readiness goals and fiscal objectives. Discover materials that guide grantees in creating community and self-assessments, and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

Program planning and service system design together make up one of the 12 management, planning, and oversight systems of the Management Systems Wheel.

Why Conduct a Community Assessment?

Consider how the data gathered during a community assessment will be used to inform strategic planning, goal setting, and decision-making.

Home Visitor’s Online Handbook

Explore this handbook to find research on home-based programs, strategies for best practices, video examples, and resources, along with wisdom from home visitors across the country.

Standards in Action

Explore these vignettes to learn how programs can implement specific Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).

Head Start Tip Sheets for Grantee Planning

Use these tip sheets to find ways to support grantee planning. Explore what to consider when implementing systems, policies, and practices around topics from developmental screening to home-based programs and more. 

Foundations for Excellence

Review a range of planning topics to support programs’ successful completion of the Head Start grant application, and to ensure programming is responsive to community needs throughout the five-year grant period.